Seni Lewis Award 2025: Nominations open now
Nominations can be submitted via the Seni Lewis Award portal until 10 October 2025
We are incredibly proud to announce this year's Seni Lewis Award recognising NHS and police teams keeping people safe and driving change in crisis care.
The award was created as a lasting legacy in honour of Olaseni ‘Seni’ Lewis, who tragically died in 2010, at Bethlem Royal Hospital, after being held in prolonged restraint.
The Seni Lewis Award recognises exceptional work that strengthens co-operation between mental health services and the police to shape crisis care that reduces harm and builds trust, helping to prevent future tragedies and ensure care is delivered with dignity and respect.
This year the Trust and the Metropolitan Police Service, who jointly run the award, has a new partnership with the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), bringing national reach and influence to inspire change and improve patient experience throughout the NHS.
NHS teams and partner organisations across the UK are invited to submit nominations showcasing how their work is improving safety for people in crisis, reducing restrictive practices, and involving patients and carers in shaping services.
Shortlisted finalists will be invited to a Royal College Presidential Event in December – focused on the future of community mental health care – where the winner will be announced.
Seni’s parents, Aji and Conrad Lewis, said:
“Every act of care, every effort to educate, every step away from restraint means the death of our son Seni – our shining light – was not in vain. The Seni Lewis Award keeps his memory alive by recognising work that makes crisis care safer, calmer, and more respectful. If your work reflects this, please nominate it – and help turn his legacy into lasting change.”
Professor Derek Tracy, Chief Medical Officer, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) said:
“The Seni Lewis Award shines a light on care that truly puts people first – care that is personal, respectful and given in ways that bring safety, calm and dignity to every person in crisis, ensuring that restrictive practices, such as physically restraining someone, are only ever used as a last resort.
“We want to hear from teams in mental health services who build genuine connections and work alongside the police to ensure people in crisis are met with compassion, trust is nurtured, and the right help comes at the right time.
“Through the award, training and our commitment to fulfilling the aims of Seni’s law, we are determined to continue turning lessons learnt into lasting change, making care safer now, and for generations to come.”
Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Trust, said:
“We are honoured to support Seni’s inspirational family in their goal to reduce restrictive practice and uphold their son’s legacy. Receiving the Seni Lewis Award is fantastic recognition of a team’s determination to deliver the very best safe and therapeutic emergency care despite systems being so under-resourced and overstretched.
“I’d encourage anyone who has shown the ambition to innovate crisis care pathways to put their team forward for consideration. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase your team’s leadership and for winners, a career highlight that will always be remembered.”
Nominations can be submitted via the Seni Lewis Award portal until 10 October 2025.
Superintendent Lisa Parker, who leads on mental health and adult safeguarding for the Metropolitan Police, said:
“This award is so important in recognising outstanding collaborative work between the police and health service to ensure those experiencing mental health crisis receive compassionate and high quality care that puts their needs above all else.
“Seni’s death was a tragedy and we are proud to support the award in his memory to recognise the amazing work that takes place every day to keep people safe and ensure they get the care and support they need.”
